Beaucond Motors, Colorado Springs, CO

[okc63avanti]

Going through some old photographs I found a few pictures taken on August 14, 1976 my 20th birthday. My family and I were in Colorado on vacation and after seeing a billboard advertising the New Avanti II, I talked my Dad into driving to the dealer to see their cars, after all it was my birthday. I'm not sure what an Avanti II listed for in 1976 but it was more $$$ than my Dad ever paid for any of our new Dodge or Chrysler cars.

This first picture is me standing by a new Avanti (window stickers visible) in front of Beaucond Motors. This was 33 years ago and about 80 to 90 lbs ago as well.

Here's a profile shot of the Avanti, the exit sign off freeway says Academy Blvd. Beaucond motors was next to Bob's camper sales, I have no idea if any of this is still there after 33 years.

If there is someone out there who lives or lived in the Colorado Springs area and bought an Avanti II in 1976 or early 1977 that was this same color from this dealer it would be interesting to know if the car survives.

Finally a photo of a Studebaker GT Hawk at the dealer (I don't remember what year or if it was for sale). Maybe someone out there knows about this car as well.



<div align="left">John</div id="left">

<div align="left">'63 Avanti, R1, Auto, AC, PW (unrestored)</div id="left">

[Bill Pressler]

Great photos John, thanks for sharing!

That GT has the little "Avanti Powered" or "Avanti Supercharged" emblems way down at the bottom of the front fenders...the car is a '63 from what I can see. That'd be a desirable one today if it's still around.

Bill Pressler
Kent, OH
'63 Lark Daytona Skytop R1
'64 Daytona Hardtop

[okc63avanti]

quote:Originally posted by Bill Pressler

Great photos John, thanks for sharing!

That GT has the little "Avanti Powered" or "Avanti Supercharged" emblems way down at the bottom of the front fenders...the car is a '63 from what I can see. That'd be a desirable one today if it's still around.

Bill Pressler
Kent, OH
'63 Lark Daytona Skytop R1
'64 Daytona Hardtop

You are right I zoomed in on the high resolution picture scanned on my hard drive and I do see the supercharged badge. It also looks like it is sporting Avanti hubcaps, was that normal for a Super GT Hawk package car?

<div align="left">John</div id="left">

<div align="left">'63 Avanti, R1, Auto, AC, PW (unrestored)</div id="left">

[Bill Pressler]

quote:Originally posted by okc63avanti

quote:Originally posted by Bill Pressler

Great photos John, thanks for sharing!

That GT has the little "Avanti Powered" or "Avanti Supercharged" emblems way down at the bottom of the front fenders...the car is a '63 from what I can see. That'd be a desirable one today if it's still around.

Bill Pressler
Kent, OH
'63 Lark Daytona Skytop R1
'64 Daytona Hardtop

You are right I zoomed in on the high resolution picture scanned on my hard drive and I do see the supercharged badge. It also looks like it is sporting Avanti hubcaps, was that normal for a Super GT Hawk package car?

<div align="left">John</div id="left">

<div align="left">'63 Avanti, R1, Auto, AC, PW (unrestored)</div id="left">

No, someone must have just liked the Avanti wheel covers! The R1 and R2 engines/packages didn't get you special wheel covers.

That Hawk could be an R1. While R1 Avantis didn't get any engine badging on the body, R1 Larks and Hawks did.

Again, great photos, John.

Bill Pressler
Kent, OH
'63 Lark Daytona Skytop R1
'64 Daytona Hardtop

[56H-Y6]

Hi John

Thanks for posting these pictures of a dealer I remember very well from that same period!

I attended college in Colorado in the mid-'70's and my sister and brother-in-law lived in Colorado Spring on Prospect off Platte Avenue (Colorado Highway 24) which is the road seen in the background.

When I visited them, during the day when they were working, I would walk out Platte since it was lined with small used car dealers. There was a ton of interesting used cars on the lots in those days.
Beaucond Motors was one that I liked to go by to see what he had, in addition to the new Avanti II's there. There were always various Studebakers on the lot as well as higher end and sporty imports such as Jaguars, Alfas, MG's, etc.

One car I particularly recall was a '64 Daytona Convertible, dark blue with blue interior and black top in nice original condition. The asking price I recall was $1,200, something I didn't have. He knew the car was rare even then. I've often wondered who has that car now.

Does anyone know if Beaucond Motors had been a Studebaker dealer at one time?

That photo sure reminds me of the '70's!!!

Steve

[63t-cab]

Ya I think it's a 63 fender badge.

Joseph R. Zeiger

[okc63avanti]

[quote]quote:Originally posted by Studedude

Originally posted by okc63avanti

This was 33 years ago and about 80 to 90 lbs ago as well.

Why, I'd have known ya anywhere!

Why that's mighty kind of you Dave; what you've been drinking tonight?

<div align="left">John</div id="left">

<div align="left">'63 Avanti, R1, Auto, AC, PW (unrestored)</div id="left">

[barnlark]

Great pictures, John. Thanks for sharing them. Nice whipper snapper pose! [8D] I've got you by 4 months...class of '74. [^] We're seeing more vintage Studebakers & member's pictures lately. Keep 'em comin', folks.